I’m always striving to organize my home office… It’s a daily struggle. I hate paperwork. I have lot’s of systems and solutions – if I would just use them consistently. Is my office organized in everyones standards? Nope… but I can find what I need to find quickly.
First – I want to explore why more and more home offices are becoming a necessity in almost any home:
More and more people are starting to work from home, either to replace a “real” job or to supplement the stretched budget. One of the best ways to improve your chances of success is to establish a home office.
Not only is it a tax write-off (be sure to check with your accountant as to what you can and cannot deduct), but it is also a way to help stay organized and be more professional.
The type of business you are running will dictate the type of office you need.
- Will you be having clients meeting you in your office?
- Will it be your workspace?
- Will it be a multi-purpose room?
- For example, if you have a business based mainly on a computer and internet, then you won’t need as much space as you would for a craft production or product distribution business.
The steps I took to get my home office organized – and you can do these quickly and easily -
First, eliminate anything from the room that isn’t directly connected to your business (unless it is a multi-purpose room, such as a wall that serves as the family library). The fewer distractions you have, the better. It also helps reduce unnecessary clutter. Store things in boxes or move them to another room.
Get a Filing System
There are many nice filing systems – from the traditional filing cabinets, to hanging folders that can attach to the back of a door.
- Sort through all the papers in your office. Decide what you need to keep and what can be thrown away.
- When in doubt, set up another folder or box for things to look at again later. I have a “I think this is cool” box. It’s a box that all the catalogs – stuff I print off the internet – old cards (business – greeting- etc.), Nothing important goes in this “file” box. If I don’t look in this box for anything in at least 6 months… the box and all it’s contents goes to the dump!
- Once you establish a filing system, keep up with it on a daily basis. It is too easy to become overwhelmed if you don’t. Color-coded systems work nicely. One color for tax-deductible related items, another for invoices to clients, another expenses, etc.
- Then you simply place the papers or receipts in the appropriate color folder.
The Desk Needs To Be Clutter Free
The workspace is often the most difficult to keep organized, but if you have a handle on the paperwork, it helps reduce one area of clutter.
Make sure the workspace is large enough, and comfortable. Whether you have to sit or stand do to the work, make sure the surface is at the correct height. This will help reduce back strain and allow you to work for longer periods of time, thereby increasing your productivity.
There are many nice desk organizers that allow you to keep items close at hand but out of the way. If you only keep the items you need most often on the workspace, it will also reduce clutter.
Keep the rest tucked away in storage units in your desk drawer, shelf or box. There are drawer organizers that can be customized to meet your needs.
If you use a computer, make sure you have enough space for the computer itself, the monitor, printer and any other hardware you may need, such as scanners and fax machines. Many companies produce multi-purpose units that combine those features into one machine, which takes up much less desk space.
Don’t forget to organize the computer itself.
There are many organizational software programs that can help you track appointments, clients, and your work. By using these programs, you can keep on top of things and waste less time. Set up special folders in your documents folder, so you can file things away for easy retrieval. Databases and spreadsheets are also very helpful tools in tracking your inventory and other business related needs.
If you aren’t using Google to help you organize your computer… you’re missing out on the best of the free stuff. Google has calendars that keep you on time ( I mean they will even email you a reminder of an appointment). They have an online document service (just like microsoft word) and of course Gmail – is by far the best email system – Bar None!.
- Want to conquer your office clutter once and for all?
- Ever wondered how you can have a happy, organized, clutter-free desk?
- Do you want to know the secret to finding anything in your filing cabinet in seconds?
- What about keeping up with your business reading, making every second you spend in meetings count, or how to delegate without stress or worries?
It’s time to get organized! Get 1,875 simple organizing ideas to help you organize your office:
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